The Journey (ジャーニー 太古アラビア半島での奇跡と戦いの物語)

Look carefully!

This is the miracle that you prayed for!

Your vain resistance was utterly meaningless.

I'm sure you can now see that my deeds were just.

No!

It's not over yet!

We will prevail in the end!

Does he not know when to give in?

All right.

I will teach him...

the meaning of the word surrender.

Start with him.

Flatten them all, one by one.

I have faith.

If we continue to believe in God and keep striving till the end…

God will grant us a miracle.

That's why I must never give up.

Until my body is torn apart and ripped into pieces,

I will protect my dear family and God's house, the holy Kaaba.

My name is Aws.

I am the son of Jubair.

Twelve hours earlier,

we volunteer soldiers had gathered at the final defense position

to protect Mecca from Abraha's advancing army.

Abraha's army of soldiers

marched from the south of the Arabian Peninsula.

They invaded major cities on their path to the north.

Their main objective

was to invade Mecca, a key trading hub

With a show of force, Abraha demanded Mecca's surrender.

Abraha's military strength was overpowering.

Meccans took refuge in the Al Hada mountains,

to find a way to protect the city without fighting.

But Abraha's demands were beyond anything Meccans

He was utterly ruthless.

The surrender of Mecca wasn't the only thing he demanded.

He demanded the destruction of the Kaaba

and the sacred stone enshrined there.

He also demanded all Meccans to abandon their faith

and become his army's slaves.

Meccans trembled with fury at this despicable demand,

but some decided to fight Abraha's army.

Listen to me, brave volunteers.

At this very moment, Abraha's army is marching towards Mecca.

We're here to stop them from invading and destroying our home.

We will not retreat one step from this valley.

Our duty is to repel Abraha's army without letting them in our city.

That means Mecca and its symbol, the Kaaba...

Oh... I'm sorry.

Really...

You've done it again.

I'm sorry. I was nervous.

Here you go.

Thanks, Aws.

Why are you carrying so many weapons?

Commander Musab is in charge of Mecca's volunteer soldiers.

He's a battle-tested soldier.

His knowledge and experience lifts the army's morale.

You say be agile, but look at me…

Oh, you're truly impossible.

And this chubby and lovable fellow is Hisham.

Even when the enemy could appear at any moment,

his unique charm and humor relieve the tension in the air.

I'm so sorry. Not again!

Sorry, Musab. I'll help spread the load.

It was Hisham who told me Musab was recruiting soldiers.

Listen everybody!

If you are willing to fight, take these weapons. They're yours!

See? I told you.

Yeah.

So a war really is coming.

Our enemy, Abraha, has stated that he will destroy the sacred Kaaba.

We must never allow that

Musab, enough.

I thought I told you not to fight.

Pardon me, Chief Muttalib, but...

I met General Abraha and confirmed his strong determination.

He will use all of his military might to...

Chief Abdul-Muttalib is one of Mecca's most respected leaders.

Abraha has sent many emissaries in a bid to subjugate Mecca.

But each time, the great chief has fended them off.

We could never...

Abraha's army is far mightier than we could have imagined.

Therefore, we only have two options.

We must either swiftly surrender Mecca or become Abraha's slaves.

Slaves?

Either way, it's terrible.

To protect all Meccans, it is my decision that we should leave the city.

I beseech you! Leave Mecca with me before this terrible army arrives.

Escape is not a defeat. It is a way for us all to survive...

He's right. As long as we survive, our history will continue.

But…

We could never choose to surrender our city.

So we chose a third option, to fight the enemy.

Nizar.

What?

Let us hear your wisdom, also.

You're one of the few here who knows the true face of combat.

You know I'm not good at speeches.

A few words will do. Come on.

Don't worry, old friend. Just be forthright, as always.

Oh, all right then.

This gruff, blunt man is Captain Nizar,

Mecca's greatest and most trusted warrior.

I joined his unit.

Well, there's only one thing to say to you all.

Get them before they get you!

That's all you need to remember to survive.

Everyone, don't die!

That's it.

What's so funny?

I just thought your speech was very... you.

It was, wasn't it?

Thank you, Nizar.

Of course, survival is the primary condition for victory.

Get them before they get you? Nice advice. Sheesh.

Mm, guess so.

I'm so disappointed.

I've never been good at talking to crowds.

It was a good speech, sir.

It was simple and clear.

I wish everything were so simple.

Sadly, that's never the case.

Why did you choose to fight?

I bet it was hard persuading your family to let you go.

Yes, it was.

War is a job for loners with no family, like me.

I don't think so.

Having a family is no excuse to expect others to protect you.

I can see why Jubair made you his son.

Good people like you will be needed in the near future.

You'd better stay alive until then.

I'm not a good person.

No one could be as virtuous as you are now.

There's no need to let the past haunt you.

Instead, you should make use of the skills you learned back then.

You might want to forget, but talent like that will help you in battle.

Trust me.

I'm counting on you, Aws.

Yes sir.

He's right. It's a past I'd rather forget.

But I made a vow when I chose to stay and fight.

I vowed to accept my past instead of burying it,

to carry out this honorable mission.

It was when I hurried home to deliver Chief Muttalib's decision...

The rumor is true!

Aws...

Abraha's army is heading here from Taif.

We know.

Get ready to leave.

What?

It's your duty to protect our family.

Father...

You're planning to stay and fight?

Chief Muttalib told us to evacuate.

I cannot just watch and let someone desecrate God.

Right. But let me be the one to stay behind.

Aws...

My body still remembers how to handle a sword and fight.

I'm not worthy of God's forgiveness.

That's why...

That was long ago.

God knows how deeply you regret your sins.

There's no reason for you to think so lowly of yourself.

No, Mother.

As long as I bear this mark, I cannot escape my past sins.

I am corrupted by my sins.

That is not true!

I'm sure God has already forgiven you.

Don't you think the happy life we have together is proof of that?

Thank you, Hind.

Your words always raise my spirits and fill me with courage.

I want to protect Mecca and our precious family.

But...

If fate demands one of us fight,

then that mission is meant for me.

Years ago, when I broke into this house to rob you,

you forgave me without punishment.

You took me in as family.

Sinning was the only way of life that I knew.

You showed me a life of peace, and the wonders of faith.

I owe you for everything.

Now it is time for me to repay you for all you have done.

Aws...

We are very fortunate, aren't we?

Yes, we are.

I shall get ready to evacuate, too.

Please do.

I have one thing to ask of you.

Hind?

Please take this.

Please wear this eyeshadow on the battlefield.

All right.

This will give me strength in the face of our enemies.

We are always together even when we are apart.

You are my eyes and my heart.

Yes.

Of course, you're always with us too, Wahab.

Please wait for me.

I promise to light a flame to signal our victory.